Assessment, Examinations and External Examiners

In order to maintain standards, there must be clarity about responsibility for the setting of assessments and examination papers, marking, and about the conduct of assessments and examinations.  In practice, these will vary according to the type of collaborative provision.  The TLD can provide advice on what is appropriate and will refer to the University's Assessment Framework. 

For research degree collaborations the Graduate Education Team can provide advice and refer to the University’s code of practice for research degrees. 

External Examining

The University is responsible for the selection and approval of External Examiners (see section 4).  The TLD website offers guidance on how to nominate and appoint External Examiners for taught programmes and the Code of Practice for Research Degrees sets out requirements for research degrees.

The University retains overall responsibility for the selection and appointment of External Examiners.  In this it uses the same criteria for selection of externals of programmes delivered on campus as set out in its Guidance on External Examiner Procedures.  Additionally, it requires that:
 
1 prospective External Examiners must have had no recent connections (in the previous five years) with the partner institution;
2 in the case of overseas collaborations, that Externals have a clear understanding of the UK HE system, including the role of Externals;
3 in the case of overseas collaboration where the language of instruction and/or assessment is not English, that Externals have the necessary language skills;

The University formally issues contracts to Externals and is responsible for their fee.  Within this overall framework, the University has a procedure whereby the partner institution is able to nominate potential Externals.

The role of External Examiners
External Examiners fulfil the roles set out in the University’s Guidance on External Examiner Procedures.  This Code of Practice should be drawn to the attention of the partner institution, which must agree that the External Examiners will carry out their roles as determined by the University.

Preparation for External Examining
The University retains responsibility for preparing External Examiners to undertake their role.  As well as the providing them with the University’s Guidance on External Examiner Procedures, it is responsible for providing programme specifications, (if appropriate) benchmark information and public and statutory body requirements, and information on the collaborative arrangement.

Within this framework, the University may wish to involve the partner institution in the preparation of external examiners, particularly with regard to informing them about the partner institution, and responsibilities in this regard should be clear.

Reporting arrangements
The External Examiner formally reports to the University, but mechanisms are required for any concerns raised to be transmitted to the partner institution and for a response to be made to the University.  Arrangements for dealing with any concerns raised by Externals should be agreed with the partner institution.